College Volleyball - Bryant Hampton Inn-vitational
Rider University 3, University of Hartford 2
Rutgers University 3, Rider University 1

SMITHFIELD, RI—The Rider University volleyball team opened the 2016 season with a split on the opening one at the Hampton Inn-vitational, hosted by Bryant University Friday afternoon.

Trailing two sets to one, Rider (1-1) rallied for a 22-25, 26-24, 23-25, 25-21, 15-8 victory over the University of Hartford before falling to Rutgers University 25-13, 20-25, 19-25, 16-25.

In the opening match, sophomore Savannah Logan (Jupiter, FL/Benjamin) had a monster effort with 14 digs and 13 kills and two blocks, attacking .297 with senior Kaitlyn Griffin (Chesapeake, VA/Hickory) and senior Ryan Ackermann (Ashburn, VA/Stone Bridge)compiling 11 kills each.

“I thought Savannah played very well,” said head coach Christopher Feliciano who is in his sixth season at Rider and now has 196 collegiate wins.  “It was a great effort in her first match back after the ACL injury last season.  Having an outside hitter attack almost .300, we haven't seen that in a long time.”

Junior Veronica Koval (Allentown, PA/Parkland) had 43 assists and 11 digs with junior Emma Aldaya (Prospect Park, PA/Merion Mercy Academy) adding 18 digs against the Hawks.

“Knowing that we've completely changed our system, the opening match was a nice effort,” said Feliciano.  “You always have ups and downs and some butterflies until you get that first match out of the way.  It's nice when you go to five sets this early and have the confidence that you will come back and win the match.  It's exciting and bodes well for our future.  Winning is a belief.  Hartford did some very nice things and that put us in a deficit and the fight we showed to come back is good and refreshing.”

Rider had 16 wins last season but lost four of seven matches that went five sets.

Tied 3-3 in the fifth and deciding set of match one, Rider used a 9-1 run, three kills by Ackermann and aided by four Hartford attack errors to take a 12-4 lead, eventually winning by seven to clinch the two hour and 15 minute marathon.

In the second match, Rider took the opening set 25-13 as freshman Evelyn Shanefield (Drexel Hill, PA/Upper Darby) and junior Jennifer Borio (Ridley Park, PA/Padua Academy) each had three of Rider's 10 kills.

“I was pleased how we can out against a B1G 10 team and didn't back off,” Feliciano said.  “A lot of times, when you play a school that is much bigger, the action kind of gets dictated to you and we really forced Rutgers to step up their game and play a different type of match.  There were moments of brilliance and moments where we looked like we were one day out of preseason.  I thought Evelyn (Shanefield) had a nice match against Rutgers and also played well against Hartford.”

Koval had 15 assists against the Scarlet Knights with Aldaya adding 14 digs.

Freshman Devyn Holland (Corona, CA/Santiago) had a solid start to her collegiate career with 12 assists and eight digs against Rutgers after compiling four digs and three service aces in the opener against Hartford.

“The newcomers and the veterans have done a nice job coming together,” Feliciano said.  “There really seems to be one common goal and that is for the team to do well.  We haven't always had that in the past.  The challenge is going to be managing the interchangeable parts and the day to day improvement of the players as the season progresses.  I'm excited with the depth that we have and that will make us more competitive as we work deeper into the season.”

Rider plays the host Bulldogs of Bryant University on Saturday at noon.

“Everyone played a part,” Feliciano added.  “It was just a solid effort up and down the lineup.”

The Broncs open the home portion of the schedule on August 31 at 7pm in Alumni Gymnasium against St. Francis Brooklyn.

-RU-